Best DAC/pre under $500?

[Phelonious Ponk]

I may have the opportunity to pick up a pair of Linkwitz LX Minis with the DSP, but I'll need a DAC with a volume control and optical out, and a couple of stereo amps. I'm probably not going much higher than an Emotiva Stealth DC-1, $400. Any recommendations in that range?

Tim

 

[Jinjuku]

I may have the opportunity to pick up a pair of Linkwitz LX Minis with the DSP, but I'll need a DAC with a volume control and optical out, and a couple of stereo amps. I'm probably not going much higher than an Emotiva Stealth DC-1, $400. Any recommendations in that range?
,
Tim

For $399 I don't think you can do better. A fully differential design, full ladder analog volume.... That's made my short list

 

[FrantzM]

Hi
My recommendation may not fulfill all yourneeds. It doesn't have Optical in or out. iFi micro – iDSD. Will surprise you in term of sound quality. It also decodes anything you'll likely to find on this planet

$499

 

[esldude]

Having some experience with Emotiva equipment, I would have made the same choice you have.

 

[Rodney Gold]

miniDSP 4x10 HD
Pre/dac/room correction/crossover etc .. remote controlled
analog and digital in , 8 x analog and 2 x digital out, balanced in and out as well as rca
does it all... and sound pretty good too..
https://www.minidsp.com/products/minidsp-in-a-box/minidsp-4x10-hd

 

[Blizzard]

Here's a DSD DAC for the true purist. About $120-130 to build.

View attachment 23388

 

[Phelonious Ponk]

For $399 I don't think you can do better. A fully differential design, full ladder analog volume.... That's made my short list

Yeah, I'm definitely going with Emotiva amps. I just haven't decided if I'm going for more than enough power, or headroom for days. It would be awfully convenient if the DAC/pre had a remote volume control, but this is typical Emotiva - great performance, great build quality for the $.

Tim

 

[KeithR]

the iFi stuff is really cool and allegedly very good sounding - I have a used iFi phono stage coming in for a backup.

have you looked at Odyssey on the amp front? Klaus is such a great guy in the industry and the amps are all built in Indiana. I bought my first audiophile amp (the Stratos) back in 2000 from him. His company offers tremendous price/performance value.

 

[Blizzard]

The Resonessence Herus is supposed to be killer for the price. It can drive a power amp direct, and has a volume control that can sync with the media player.

http://www.resonessencelabs.com/product/herus/

 

[Johnny Vinyl]

I have a Geek Pulse DAC/HA that I'm not using. No volume control though.

 

[dallasjustice]

Tascam US-1800. You would also be ready to go, should you wish to use some DSP in the future, like Acourate, Audiolense or Dirac. You would only need a mic.
If you bought a DAC without a built-in AtoD, you'd likely need to buy a different unit again later, should you wish to use DSP.


The Tascam is the total package. It has mic pres built in and has up to 24dbu output which will be enough to directly drive any amp/speaker combo without a pre in the chain. You are also future proof your system for MCH.

http://tascam.com/content/downloads/products/535/e_us-1800_om_va.pdf

 

[Phelonious Ponk]

Tascam US-1800. You would also be ready to go, should you wish to use some DSP in the future, like Acourate, Audiolense or Dirac. You would only need a mic.
If you bought a DAC without a built-in AtoD, you'd likely need to buy a different unit again later, should you wish to use DSP.


The Tascam is the total package. It has mic pres built in and has up to 24dbu output which will be enough to directly drive any amp/speaker combo without a pre in the chain. You are also future proof your system for MCH.

http://tascam.com/content/downloads/products/535/e_us-1800_om_va.pdf

That's a lot of box for the bucks, for sure, but I need an optical in from my Apple TV.

Tim

 

[dallasjustice]

I screwed up. For the reasons stated above, I change my vote to the Tascam UH-7000.

http://tascam.com/product/uh-7000/

 

[dallasjustice]

That's a lot of box for the bucks, for sure, but I need an optical in from my Apple TV.

Tim

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/det...e=&network=g&gclid=CNqFnNHBlckCFZOBaQodTyoDcA

 

[Jinjuku]

I screwed up. For the reasons stated above, I change my vote to the Tascam UH-7000.

http://tascam.com/product/uh-7000/

That looks like a contender. Thanks for posting that.

TEAC has an interesting product (has speaker outs also, so it's an integrated DAC):

http://www.amazon.com/Teac-AH01-B-Amplifier-Digital-Converter/dp/B006I6FXDY

 

[jasn]

I've been using a Stealth DC-1 for 6 months now and I'm extremely happy with it. It's loaded, what with running lossless files via USB to an Asus Chromebox hacked to run Kodi; coax connection to my Oppo 83, and analog inputs from my Technics/Creek TT rig. It all feeds my Latino VTA ST120 tube amp.

My only, tiny gripe is that "Standby" is essentially "On" with no output. I was hoping to use the DC-1 remote-controlled On/Off with a current-sensing powerstrip to "remotely" power the tube amp too. Poor me...

BTW, I listened to the Linkwitz Mini's at RMAF this year and they are fantastic! Enjoy them.

 

[Jinjuku]

Another TEAC to look at is the UD-301

 

[amirm]

Looks pretty too!

 

[APP]

Looks pretty too!

I was going to suggest the iFimicroidac2 but this LOOKS better.

Any way the free files that ifi is giving away in DSD, wav and Flac format makes for an excellent test to compare the various units.

The this is fraud code is ; iFimicroidac2 and one can get them here; http://www.soundliaison.com/all-categories/185-ifi-micro-idac2-music-sampler;

 

[amirm]

I have the micro iDAC2 but have not had time to listen to it yet. Measured it with its switch in "bit perfect" mode and it produced pretty odd output. The other setting fixed that but I need to figure out what is going on there.